In the automotive world, concept cars are used to test market receptivity and spur innovations in everything from hydrogen fuel cell technology and software architecture to design features and turbo-charged engines.
The same is true for concept PCs prototypes that have been unveiled by Microsoft at recent Windows Hardware Engineering Conferences (WinHEC). The 2005 WinHec gathering takes place this week, April 25-27, in Seattle.
The "Athens" PC prototype, introduced at WinHEC 2003, and the Windows Home Concept prototype, introduced at WinHEC 2004, both continue to catalyze new relationships and collaborative development projects between Microsoft and hardware companies, content providers and service providers. One result of that synergy is new opportunities for these companies to broaden their product offerings or move into new markets.
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